Mari Vineyards' stone villa perched atop the hillside looks like it was plucked from Tuscany and dropped in northwestern Michigan. One of the peninsula’s newest wineries, Mari is growing Italian varietals and tapping unusual methods to grow grapes in this cool climate. We recommend stopping in for a wine tasting to enjoy this beautiful spot.
Mission Point Lighthouse opened for maritime service in 1870. Decommissioned in 1933, the lighthouse has become an iconic symbol of Traverse City and a popular destination for day visitors. The five-acre township park, Old Mission Point Park, surrounds the lighthouse and includes a wide, sandy stretch of beach and wooded hiking trails.
The Boathouse Restaurant has a dining room overlooking the bay and docked boats. The menu highlights seafood from Lake Michigan and elsewhere, as well as premium beef and lamb. It also offers a seasonal, six-course tasting menu.
This local favorite for homemade ice cream is on a dairy farm. While a little out of the way (about a 20-minute drive from our hotels) it's a unique experience to eat ice cream nearby the cows that helped make it.